Spirit-level



(No Model.)

I R. D. WERDEN.

SPIRIT LEVEL.

No. 397,043. Patented Jan. 29,1889

Fgj

W I I'NEs'sEs: INVEN'I'OR Racial/Jaw Z, Wvlm.

N1 PETERS. mmumm". Washingian. ac

UNTTED STATES PATENT @EEICE.

RODOLPIIIIS I). WERDEN, OF CINCINNATI, OHIO.

SPIRIT-LEVEL.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 397,043, dated January 29, 1889.

Application filed May I8, 1888. Serial No. 274,269. (No model.)

To aZZ whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, RonoLPnus l). WER- DEN, ot' Cincinnati, in the county of llamiltiim and State ol Ohio, have invented a new and useful Improvement in SpiritIlevels, which improvement is fully set forth in the t'ollow- 3 ing spocificat ion and nccompanyi n-g drawings, in which 1 metal, thereby preventing the user from see- I Figure I is a face view oi. my improved ment. A reference to the drawings, in view of spirit-level; Fig. II, a cross-section of the same; Fig. III, a cross-section of a moditication, and Fig. IV a face view of the modifica- 1 tion.

The object of my invention is to provide an improved spiritelevel designed to obviate the defects which limit the usefulness of the various instruments heretofore employed. It is specially adapted for the use of millwrights, machinists, and others who are often compelled to work at great disadvantage on account of the want ot sut'ticicnt light to render the air bubble plainly visible. It is furthermore so eonstructedv that it maybe used at any height within reach of the workman and in positions nearly perpendicular to the eye.

The device consists of a glass tube oi the usual form supplied with the proper quantity of alcohol, which may be slightly colored. It is mounted in or near the center of the orifice in the stock. The spaces above and below the tube are closed, preferably by plates of. brass or other polished metal. By this arrangement the light is confined and passes through the glass only. The surfaces of the metal plates above and below the tube may be so inclined from the perpendicular, or curved, if desired, as to reflect the light and converge the rays upon the tube.

It will be understood that when the instrument is used where but little light is available the operator, by placing it between himself and a window or other opening in a building, will utilize not only the direct rays, but also those which are reflected from the polished surfaces of the plates above and below the tube,where polished plates are used. The stock of the instrument being comparatively thin and the borders of the orifice deeply countersunk, this device may be made to level objects at a height at which other instruments of the kind would be entirely unavailable.

Referring to the accompanying drawings,

ing the tube unless the point of observation is above or nearly on a level with the instruthis, will more clearly show the feature of my invention. The side plates, D, are placed fiatagainst the tube and are made as thin as possible. The wood, A, is cut away as low down as possible, so as to expose this plate, and the observers view is not thereby impeded. The central divisible plate, (I, shuts off all light from the opposite direction,compelling all cator for the air bubble in the tube. Instead of having the vertical and parallel metallic side plates, D D, the eham't'ered portion G of the circle at Figs. 3 and lean be extended along the bulb to act as a guard. The tube is placed in the stock through an aperture on the lower side, which is afterward filled in by the strip H.

\Vhat I claim as new is- 1. In a spirit-level, the stock on both sides of the spirit-tulm chamiered down at an angle, in combination with the tube and the dividing-plate located centrally over the tube and in close proximity thereto, substantially as herein set forth.

2. In a spirit-level, the stock on both sides chamtered oft at an angle, in combination with the tube and the dividing-plate having the central not-ch, sulj)stantially as herein set forth.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing I have hereunto set my hand, this 30th day of September, 1887, in the presence of witnesses.

ROD OIJPIIII S D. IVERDEN.

\Vitnesses:

J. S. ZERBE, ROBERT KIRK. 

